Flowers
Mo Xiong
Artwork Details
Artwork Description
Title: Flowers
Artist: Mo Xiong
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper mounted on cardboard
Dimensions: 17.7 x 15 in (45 x 38 cm)
Artwork Identification
In this vibrant composition, Mo Xiong presents a rounded white vase decorated with delicate lavender motifs, overflowing with orange blossoms, white asters, and rich blue-violet sprigs. The warm ochre background radiates behind the bouquet, emphasizing the color contrasts and energizing the still life with dynamic motion.
Artistic Style and Influences
This piece exemplifies Mo Xiong’s masterful integration of traditional Chinese brushwork with expressive Western watercolor techniques. The floral arrangement—while stylized—captures the vitality and spontaneity often found in xieyi (freehand) Chinese painting, yet it is orchestrated with a painterly balance aligned with modern European still life.
Historical Context
Reflecting Mo Xiong’s late 20th-century artistic exploration, this work embodies his pursuit of East-West synthesis during a time when Chinese artists were increasingly exposed to global influences. It signals a cultural dialogue expressed through personal vision and national identity.
Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.
Condition and Conservation
The painting remains in very good condition, with no signs of discoloration or wear. The pigments are vibrant, and the structural integrity of the mount is intact.
Artistic Significance
This still life is a poetic manifestation of Mo Xiong’s dual devotion—to honoring the lyrical elegance of Chinese tradition and embracing the openness of Western aesthetics. Its joyful palette and harmonious flow make it a quintessential example of his artistry, enriching any contemporary collection of Chinese watercolor painting.